Unity, Community, and Witness
Notes
Transcript
Handout
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
This is another summary that Luke gives about how the early church got its start.
After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, God transitioned into a new phase of ministry. He’s establishing and building His church. In Acts 4:32-35, we see God continue to build His church…
This is our story...
We at FBC are connected to this story because we, like those we are reading about, are Christ’s Church.
Because this is OUR history,
I think it’s best for our church not to lose or replace the characteristics we see in the early church.
My sermon title is essentially a summary of what we see there: Unity, Community, and Witness.
But it’s important for us to explore these three in detail because...
It’s possible to have unity around the wrong things
It’s possible to have dysfunctional community
and it’s possible to focus on witnessing to facts or information that proves eternally meaningless
Our unity must have Jesus
Our community must be healthy
and our witness must be to the truth
Because...
Christ centered unity naturally produces a church that has radical community with a powerful witness.
So, what I’d like to share with you from this text are...
Three Essential Characteristics of a Healthy Church
Let’s begin with our first characteristic, which I believe is the foundation for the others...
#1
Christ-Centered Unity in Conviction and Purpose - 4:32a
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
“Full Number” - This is every believer that’s been added to the church since chapter 1.
Full blooded Jews and Proselytes .
This is a *diverse* group of people - but not for the sake of being diverse
We are a diverse group too! Ethnicity, age, sex, favorite foods. ETC. For a church in the Bay Area, you have to be purposeful in not being diverse.
So what is it that brought them together?
Well it’s the same thing that brings us, at FBC together...
Look at the text..
“Those who believed” - This is the unifier
They believed - in what?
They believed the testimony of the Apostles regarding the life, death, and resurrection of Messiah Jesus.
THE CONVICTION AND PURPOSE MUST CENTER AROUND JESUS CHRIST
That’s the same thing that unifies us. You heard me say it when I welcomed you all here.
“None of us are perfect. We don’t claim to be. But, the perfect one, Jesus Christ, has found us and called us.”
We gather for services on Sundays, do Bible studies on Tuesdays, pray fervently together on Wednesdays, because Jesus has changed our lives!
The belief of Christ was their *conviction*
Concise Oxford English Dictionary Conviction
a firmly held belief or opinion.
▶ the quality of showing that one is firmly convinced of something
This discovery of reality has created in us “conviction”. And conviction changes things.
Look at how it changed them...
“Were of one heart and soul” - This statement both summarized the importance of the unity of belief/conviction and also what will naturally flow from it. Which the rest of the scriptures will describe.
Something incredible has changed in these people. God has done something within them.
Jeremiah 32:39
39 I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.
Luke purposefully uses “one” when he describes this. - This is a diverse group that became a single body.
In doing this, he is also contrasting the disciples with the leaders who rejected Jesus
Acts 4:27
27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,
Those who crucified Jesus were in unity against Jesus.
The Christians are in unity in their devotion to Jesus.
So, the foundation for the church is “Christ Centered unity in conviction and purpose”
We see the second essential characteristic in the second half of verse 32 and then in 34-35.
#2
Valuing the Community over Commodities - 4:32b; 34-35
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
“Things that belonged to him...” - Material good. Possessions.
We all know that jealousy, greed, and coveting have the tendency to keep us from real community.
When these things get ahold of us, we are likely to hurt people in order to get the things they have.
James 4:1-4
1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
It’s impossible to be a Christ centered community if we love possessions and commodities more than we love one another.
These people own stuff… Maybe they own a lot… How will this effect their new faith and community?
“No one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own...”
Somehow, these people are not controlled by what they own...
Something has fundamentally changed how they view their possessions.
“But… - instead of saying their things were their own… “they had everything in common”
This wasn’t just letting someone borrow a dvd or a book. - This was a new attitude about possessions that forever altered the way everyone used what they owned.
This is voluntary, not forced or coerced, sharing
The Apostles weren’t going around telling everyone “you better share!”
Parents, do you know what I’m talking about?
Some of you in this church live with your entire family, everyone contributes in order for you all to survive. This is more akin to what Luke is talking about...
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Acts of the Apostles 2. Their Impressive Generosity (4:32–37)
he is suggesting something more akin to family duties
“It’s no longer mine… But it is Jesus’...
Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 4
the church’s view of possessions testifies to Jesus’ kingship. The members of the early church did not treat their possessions as their own, but freely gave them away
What does Jesus want me to do with His stuff??
This radical way of living just keeps getting better though!
33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
“Great grace was upon them all.” - God was enabling the church to be radical in their love for one another. We will talk about why, according to the text, God’s grace was upon them all.
This is why I can’t just tell you all to start living radically generous towards one another. This has to be a work of God with us!
You can’t manufacture what the Holy Spirit is supposed to birth in us.
If you are hearing this and God is convicting you, then I urge you to Listen!
“There was not a need person among them...” - There was such a drastic shift that no one was lacking!
And it’s a fulfillment of what God intended the Israelites to have as they kept the Old Covenant
Deuteronomy 15:4
4 But there will be no poor among you; for the Lord will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess—
“For as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.”
They are literally using the things they own to help those who don’t have enough to survive.
They are protecting one another. Caring for one another.
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Acts 4:32-35 is showing us what living Philippians 2:1-4 looks like!
Valuing the Community Over Commodities
Our third essential characteristic is found in the first part of verse 33
#3
Powerful Witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ - Acts 4:33a
33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
This is straight forward - The gospel of Jesus Christ was front and center! And God’s power was on display through it’s proclamation
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Acts of the Apostles 2. Their Impressive Generosity (4:32–37)
God enabled them to proclaim the gospel with all boldness in the face of increasing opposition
“Great grace was upon them all.”
The Pillar NT Commentary argues that it was this..
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Acts of the Apostles 2. Their Impressive Generosity (4:32–37)
Spirit-empowered ministry of the word of God that then brought ‘great grace upon them all’
Remember that the section before this described how the whole church, after being threatened, asked God to give them boldness and to work wonders so they could preach the gospel boldly.
God answers their prayer, and then gives more and more favor to them.
Because they desired to keep the main thing the main thing!
Reflection Questions
Some of these are in your handout
Is your participation in church casual or convictional?
What brings you here? What makes you stay? Is Jesus the ultimate reason for you being a part of this church?
Is what’s in your wallet more important to you than who’s in the pew next to you?
Is contributing financially, whether through regular giving or the deacons fund, for everyone else but you?
Is what’s in your wallet more important to you than the mission Jesus gave His church?
Would it bother you if I stopped preaching Christ?
Would you prefer if I didn’t talk about Jesus?
Would a lecture on morality and the impending doom of the liberal culture make you happier?
How about the opposite: Would a motivational speech about how you can be whatever you put your mind to make you happier?
I believe God is working in this church. I’ve seen some amazingly incredible things happening here. I believe these three characteristics are found here. But, we could always improve.